Only a 30 minutes drive from Amsterdam you will find the fascinating and inspiring old city of Haarlem. This is the city where I spent most of my youth and to which I still feel very attached. While nicknamed 'Bloemenstad' (flower city), as it has been the center of the flower bulb-growing district for centuries, this lively elegant city has everything and more to offer.

Just to mention a few highlights: the Frans Hals Museum (a very rich collection of Dutch master paintings from the Golden Age) and the Teylers Museum (art, natural history and science), the latter being Hollands oldest museum, founded in 1778. 

Not to be missed are the monumental Town Hall (14th century), the Fish Hall (1769), the Meat Hall (1604) and the Saint Bavo Church (15th century) which are all located around the Grote Markt (the big central market square).

Haarlem is also an ideal city for shopping.

The Hague (in Dutch: Den Haag) is the third largest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam and Rotterdam. It houses the seat of the Dutch government, the Royal Family and many important international organizations such as the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

The Hague, with its' many old monuments, palaces, statues and green parks, is a very attractive and elegant city. Strolling along its' streets and canals is a sheer pleasure. If you like art, the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis (old masters collection) and the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag (modern art and fashion) are a 'must' to visit.

A 15 minutes drive from the historical centre will bring you to Scheveningen, the trendy beach resort of The Hague.

Beautiful Oudewater, founded around the year 1100, is one of the oldest cities in Holland. Among the numerous monuments worth mentioning here are the Town Hall (1588) and the Heksenwaag (Witches' Scales, 16 th century). You will not regret visiting this idyllic historical town!

Delft, famous for its blue earthenware, the Royal House relive and -last bot not least- painter Johannes Vermeer! Halfway between The Hague and Rotterdam lies this stunningly beautiful old town. We will approach Delft either through the highway from Leiden in just 20 minutes, or -if you prefer and time is allowing us - through scenic countryside roads.

This pretty little town lies on the confluence of the rivers Vlist and Lek, not far from Gouda. It is traditionally known as the centre of the goldsmiths. A perfect place to spend an hour or so and visit, for example, the Dutch Gold-Silver and Clockmuseum. Notable monuments to see are, among others, De Waag (1617), De Veerpoort (1601), the Townhall (originally dating from the 15th century) and the more recent but very characteristic Watertower (1901).

Leiden is my home town and, more importantly, the birth town of masterpainter Rembrandt. This beautiful historical city is probably surpassed only by Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands. It is a perfect base to start your daytour.

With its extensive historical centre including many canals, old monumental houses, almshouses, churches and museums this picturesque university town should not be missed!

Let's pay a visit to the National Museum of Antiquities, the Museum of Natural Science (Naturalis), or the fascinating Tower Mill Museum (Molen de Valk).

Gouda is another highlight not to be missed! Find yourself back in old times, while strolling along alleyways, medieval mansions, canals and bridges. Gouda has one of the oldest gothic town halls in Holland. The Saint John Church has magnificent stained-glasses These Gouda Windows (Goudse Glazen) depicts scenes from the life of St John the Baptist, other biblical scenes, as well as important events in Dutch history.
Gouda is also worldwide known for its cheese and its' syrup waffles.

Combining a visit to this wonderful old city with a tour through the nearby lake area of Reeuwijk is highly recommended!